Summer Tennis Recap

With its 130-year commitment to sporting and athletics, MAC is unique both locally and nationally. But for those members who live and breathe tennis, it can be a challenge to settle for just the seven indoor and two outdoor courts at the club. To help keep the ball in play, the Tennis Committee and Tennis department have created a mix of both on- and off-court programming. The mission? To create community engagement and athletic advancement and to advocate for tennis as one of the best of many options that MAC has to offer. Here’s a recap of what the tennis community did this summer.

Tennis 101 Fun Night

One hundred and one wasn’t just the temperature this summer – it gave a whole new meaning to our “Tennis 101” program. Despite the sweltering triple-digit weather, MAC tennis kicked off a great opportunity for folks new to the sport. The heat was on as Marco, Carol, and Paul led the newest sport aficionados through their paces. You have to hand it to these starting players, who remained undaunted by the temps.

Remember picking up a racket for the first time and how intimidating that was, especially at MAC? With Tennis 101, the intention was to have it be one part clinic and another part introduction to navigating MAC’s tennis offerings. Participants laughed, cried, and sweat bullets, but in the end a good time was had by all. And, of course, a keg of beer was there for all who survived MAC’s version of Bikram tennis.

All joking and sweating aside, tennis is a community activity, and bringing in people who will participate and learn with us is how we keep the game alive and vibrant.

Marco and Friends (5.0 Mens Doubles Watch Party)

What’s faster and deadlier than a serve from Assistant Coach Marco Pineda? Assistant Coach Maureen Harwood’s punctuated one-liners from high up on the umpire’s chair. More than a hundred club members enjoyed the match both in the lounge and up close and personal on Court 6. Maureen’s South African-accented words of wit and wisdom were on display with dropshot accuracy. The “Slice Queen” narrated the various tennis tactics on display: slicing, dicing, topspins, sidespins, drop shots, overheads, poaching, doubles communication. These are textbook examples of how tennis can (and should) be played! Keeping the occasion fun and festive, spectators gathered around another cool keg as they applauded or second-guessed the expert commentary.

On the court were Coach Marco and his friends Drew, Dylan, and Craig. As you might know, Coach Marco was All-West Coast Conference at Gonzaga and a former assistant coach to the men’s and women’s teams at Lewis and Clark. And in case you missed the event, you can find Marco on the court, whether he’s leading Cardio Tennis, Junior Tennis Camps, or a regular private session.

Tennis Summer in the Park

Retreating to the baseline isn’t always a sure shot, but getting away from the home turf proved to be a real success during the tennis community’s visit to Camille Park in Beaverton. For the first time in five years, members gathered for an off-site social event that brought a fresh perspective to the club community. Without the distraction of being at “home,” 60 members (including adults and a number of kids) had some extra time to get to know one another better. The potluck and beverages made for a fun outing in a relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere. Of course, for those who can’t get enough of the game, there was tennis instruction and free play at the park’s courts. It was a retreat that everyone enjoyed.

Tennis is uniquely considered both a lifelong and intergenerational sport. Nowhere is this more in evidence than at MAC, where people of all ages get together to thrive under tennis’ athletic banner.

Shoutouts to everyone who came to these recent events! Please keep showing up for the many tennis activities coming up. In addition to the upcoming club tennis tournaments (including swag for all participants and winners), USTA leagues, City League, open play, and more.

See you on and off the court!

— Devin Fei-Fan Tau, Tennis Committee Member